Seeing is believing: Ntaba back to medicine, out of frontline politics
To the doubting Thomas, seeing is believing. In the pictures of this story, former spokesman of late president Bingu wa Mutharika, Dr Hetherwick Ntaba is seen wearing a medical gear when when the UNDP administrator Helen Clark visited Kamuzu Central Hospital to appreciate the work United Nations volunteers are doing.
Ntaba is seen welcoming deputy minister of health Halima Daudi who accompanied te UNDP administrator Clark at KCH to appreciate the work United Nations volunteers are doing.
Ntaba is undergoing orientation at the hospital.
He submitted his application to Medical Council of Malawi to resume practicing as a doctor and quit front line politics.
Ntaba, who was also personal physician of founding president Dr Kamuzu Banda and later on hired by former president Bakili Muluzi to be a physician of his late mother, wants to get back into medical practice full time.
After his orientation, a requirement for any medical personnel who have not been practicing for more than five years, Ntaba will be allowed to be a medical practitioner once again.
He plans to quit the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and concentrate of his medical practice.
The veteran politician who has served in Malawi Congress Party (MCP), then formed his party New Congress for Democrats (NCD), joined United Democratic Front (UDF) and then DPP, has not commented on his next move.
Speaking at the hosipital the Deputy Minister of Health asked the UNDP Administrator to bring in more UNV specialists in the country especially in the areas that have no or few skilled personnel.
She said many specialist doctors are needed in the country especially in the fields of Cardiology and Neuro Surgeon
Daudi also asked the UNDP to assist the country with medical equipment and drugs.
During the visit United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Helen Clark said United Nation Volunteer (UNV) doctors have contributed to skills development of the medical personnel in Malawi saying that has promoted quality services in the hospitals.
“I am deeply touched by the dedication and commitment of the hospital staff , not just the UNV doctors, but all personnel in this hospital who are working long hours and with limited resources to serve patients,” sxplained Clark.
She added that UNV doctors have saved many lives since the hospital is able to provide specialist medical services for a wide range of conditions.
“Currently there are 54 UNV doctors serving in hospitals throughout the country and some of them are lecturing at the College of Medicine,” said Clark
Since 2005 UNDP through the UNV doctor’s programme, has contributed over two hundred International UNV doctors to support the Government of Malawi to deliver essential health services at various districts and central hospitals throughout the country.
